“THE Iron Man came to the top of the cliff...Where had he come from? Nobody knows...”

Fifty years ago, Ted Hughes began a bedtime story for his children with those mysterious, enthralling words.

Today “The Iron Man” is the best-loved children’s fable by the poet laureate and celebrated children’s author who lived in North Tawton for more than 30 years.

To mark the anniversary, the Iron Man is coming to North Tawton this summer...so look out!

The story, specially adapted and directed by Nigel Davies, will be staged by the Actors of North Tawton Society (ANTS) at North Tawton Town Hall from Wednesday, July 25 to Saturday, July 28, with the full support of the poet’s widow, Carol Hughes, who still lives in the town.

The stage version stays true to the original book and is told through farmers, a newsreader, townsfolk and, of course, Hogarth’s family. Not to mention a seven foot Space-Bat-Angel-Dragon!

More details are to follow, but everyone is advised to save the dates in their diary.